COVID-19 in Mizoram: How the Covid-19 pandemic affects Mizoram

- ✍🏻 Vidpuia Hrahsel

Coronavirus disease (COVID -19) is an infectious disease  caused by newly discovered coronavirus.That was first detected in 2019, December in Wuhan city, Hubei province 

of China. The new corona virus is a respiratory virus which spread primarily through contact with infected person through respiratory droplets generated when a person for example; cough or sneeze through droplet of saliva or discharge from the nose.Also the virus can stay in our surrounding object.It is also very important for people to wash their hand regularly either alcohol based hand sanitizer or soap and water.

| Steet of Aizawl City amid Lockdown |
Photo: Armand MS Dawngzela

The indian government prepared well enough before this virus hit us. Even Mizoram Government officials and minister does everything when it detected in our country,like lock down for the whole country which lessen the rise of virsu infected.Even developed countries who had a better health care sytem struggle to fight back the virus.This virus haunted the whole world,like a nightmare many people loss their lives and even those who are not infected need a social distancing,stayed at their home because its easily to be infected.Knowing all these things the indian government managed to lessened unlike others whose country as big as like Goliath,as a country like us who had only David weapons got a lot of blessing from Above thats why we not that affected like others country.

| Steet of Aizawl City amid Lockdown |
Photo: Armand MS Dawngzela

Government of Mizoram started working on border land which can cause foreigner bringing this virus in our state. From 9 March 2020  all the border lines were closed,also institutions,like Mizoram university and under all the functions,colleges and schools,private institutions are all closed  by the government of Mizoram. A small state,lacked of highly facilities and bad health care system can luckily blocked the virus spreading into a state.While the big state and good developing and developes states struggle to fight back.Even developed countries were deeply affected by this virus.In the mizo society  being a socialise people ,who likes gather around and share our happiness and our sorrow.When people death we gathered to relieve their burden of lossing,eventually we cannot continue all those things,because of the virus spreading in neighbouring states and country. On 12 March 2020 the biggest social group YMA announced to stop all the tradition while the virus spreading.Social distancing may not be welcomed in our society that can fade our tradition. Eventhough we need to follow for the sake of humanism ,for our loves ones and ourselves to continue again our tradition when this virus spreading is ending.When will it end?its the biggest question.But we cannot lose hope, having a positive thinking is also important in our current state right now.

| Steet of Aizawl City amid Lockdown |
Photo: Armand MS Dawngzela

To fight back the spreading, Mizoram government made  Village/ Local level task force in each village. The appointed Task force dutying in their own area with full power on their own circle. Because of the social distancing all the work and necessity cannot be done,all the street were queit down like a ghost town. We luckly and grateful to have Task force duty not only that it also shows our beautiful tradition of showing "tlawmngaihna" (doing good deeds without recognition) even in tha havoc. To prevent the spreading the government of mizoram supply Personal Protective equipment on 27 March 2020. Knowing that all this kit will not enough for the task force duty, mizo women showing their skill in the need of people,sewing face mask and gown for the task force for free.This shows that even in this state the tradtition of showing "tlawmngaihna" still arose is the bless that we had as a mizo.Even the national news applaud for this work of helping hand. Not only that Women Politechnic Institution in mizoram making hand sanitizer and sewing face mask for the needy.

 If we look around there may not be a sound to heard but the sound of "tlawmngaihna" is very loud and clear like a thunder.We salute to those who doing their duty in our border and our locality for prevent the spreading,it will be not be forgotten instead of it will be stated in our history they will always be our warrior.The virus bring us a close relationship to our society there is no separatism even in religious group. Before the virus hit every church do in their own church now, Palm sunday was echoing with harmony there is no church group only the harmonic chanted of  "Jesus is the king" what a heaven in earth. Not only that as democracy government we all live like  communist country everyone treated as equal.The virus spread awaken the beautiful tradition and beautiful heart of people ,many people donate their money  to the CM relief fund for the needy and the state itself.Every  Task force supply food to buy for people in their locality not only that some other locality gave them free foods,some gave money to people who are needy.Viewing from this point it so grateful to be in the mizo society.

Because of the virus spreading every business were closed, factory and industry also closed. There is no supply coming from foreign, the system of foreign export and import is messing up. There is no proper tax  so the government suffer  in economy. Also we need  to follow social distancing, there is no food supply coming from other states but thats made us to appreciate our own cultivated foods. Hoping that this spread of virus will bring the revival of the mizo society to humanism in the coming future.

[This Article is written in Mizo by Vidpuia Hrahsel and translated by Mary Zonunsangi]